With the Manchester United boss declaring his summer spending over following the arrivals of Michael Owen, Antonio Valencia and Gabriel Obertan, a few disgruntled Red Devils supporters are questioning how their side can possibly maintain recent standards having lost Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Yet Ferguson is convinced he has the talent to mount a solid defence of their domestic dominance, knowing another championship would take them past the record haul of 18 they currently share with Liverpool.

And he cites John O'Shea as an example of the kind of man he will rely on.

"In the modern-day game players who can play in several positions are invaluable," said Ferguson.

"You see the contribution John O'Shea made last year.

"He played in three or four positions and was excellent in every one and because he was playing all the time he got better and better.

"In the end I thought he had his best-ever season.

"We operate a squad system. It is a big squad and they all contribute. That is why it is so important to have players who can adapt and play in other positions."

Darren Fletcher might not have played in as many roles but, like O'Shea, he is another unsung hero who could have a big part to play for United this term.

Fletcher's value was never more obvious than during the Champions League final when the Scot's absence through suspension denied his side the tigerish presence in midfield that might have stopped Andres Iniesta and Xavi passing Barcelona to a conclusive victory.

In that one game, so many doubts have been raised about Ferguson's squad.

Anderson's ability to replace Paul Scholes certainly took a battering, while the defensive solidity usually provided by Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand was missing too.

Ferdinand could certainly do with an injury-free season after problems with his back and calf last term, while Ferguson needs to decide whether he has the men to replace Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and Edwin van der Sar, all of whom could be retiring at the season's end.

That uncertainty may provide a clue as to why United have resisted the opportunity to spend all the world record £80million windfall Real Madrid provided to secure Ronaldo's services.

Not that getting the right men is particularly easy anyway, especially when they come in from overseas and are faced with tax increases imposed by a government of Ferguson's political persuasion desperately trying to claw its way out of a recession.

"Everyone has to pay tax," said Ferguson.

"Sometimes it is annoying with European players that all they want to talk about is 'netto'.

"Have they never heard the word tax in their lives?"

Not that Ferguson thinks the English transfer market is dying a slow death.

How could it be when Manchester City are spending money as if it was going out of fashion?

And the Scot is expecting the cash tills to start ringing once the countdown begins to deadline day.

"There will be activity in the market before it closes," he said.

"Liverpool have paid £17million for Glen Johnson. That is one step for them.

"Chelsea have brought a couple in, and also added Daniel Sturridge in the tribunal. I am sure they will be adding players as well.

"Arsenal have signed a centre-back from Ajax (Thomas Vermaelen), who is a good player, so I don't think England has dried up."

Ferguson's own dealings indicate a fear about Nani's ability to recover from a dreadful second season.

Both Valencia and Obertan are wide players who will challenge Nani for the right to take over a wing berth Ronaldo owned before his increasing refusal to defend forced Ferguson to deploy Wayne Rooney there instead.

Valencia was being monitored for a number of months at Wigan so his arrival was no surprise, even if a paltry return of three Premier League goals last season must be improved.

Obertan was a less familiar name, although some eye-catching performances at the European Under-21 Championship in Sweden recently suggested the £3million arrival from Bordeaux may be moving back towards the form that had him tipped for greatness.

"We knew about Gabriel when he was 16," said Ferguson.

"At that time he was probably the most sought-after youngster in Europe.

"We always kept in touch with him but his form dipped a little last season, possibly because of an injury.

"But that form has returned. He played fantastically against England Under-21s in Sweden and that is why we reignited our interest."